Heat insulated handle for automobile radiator caps



July 3l, 1951 s- HUBER 2,562,719

HEAT INSULATED HANDLE FOR AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAPS Filed Jan. 20, 1950 Z5 2K4/ Z6' Z( ZZ ZZ 13\ 5g INVENToR.

W1 .en 'Mil 51MoN HUBER Z515/ zy-Si www@ Patented July 31, N1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEAT INSULATED HANDLE FOR AUTO- MOBILE RADIATOR CAPS 6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automobile radiator caps, and more particularly to an attachment for known radiator caps whereby the latter can be handled while extremely hot without discomfort to the handler.

The radiator cap used almost universally in modern automobiles comprises a metal cap member having internal lugs for engagement with an annular flange on the radiator intake pipe and external lugs or extensions by which the member can be twisted to remove it from said pipe. Inside of said member gasket means are resiliently urged against the end of said pipe and effectively seal the same.

During the operation of an automobile, the radiator, and, therefore, the metal radiator cap, become extremely hot, so that when removing the latter to replenish the water in the radiator, the hands are every often burned.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an attachment for such radiator caps whereby they can be removed and replaced without danger of burning the hands.

Another object of the invention is to construct said attachment in the form of a handle of heat insulating material such as wood, the handle being affixed to the radiator cap.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a modified handle which may be kept in a convenient location in filling stations, etc., and which can be engaged with such radiator caps to remove the same quickly and easily, the cap remaining engaged with the handle until it is replaced on the radiator intake pipe.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a radiator cap, having the handle of the invention aixed thereto, the view being taken from beneath the cap.

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view of the caphandle combination taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but with the parts turned to have the handle at the top.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the handle removed from the cap.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the handle removed from the cap.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view showing the handle constructed in accordance with a modification of the present invention and applied to a radiator cap.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1,

`but illustrating a modified form of connection between the cap and the handle.

Fig. 7 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the handle of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the handle of Fig. '7, and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the modied connecting means.

The handle, according to the first form of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, is illustrated applied to a conventional automobile radiator cap consisting of a sheet metal cap member I0 having downturned peripheral edges II. Radially oppositely disposed inturned ears I2 are provided for cooperation with an annular flange 9 on the intake pipe I9 of a radiator (Fig. 2) in securing the cap thereon. For turning the cap to engage it on said pipe, or to remove it therefrom, the cap member is provided with radially opposite extensions I3 which can be grasped by the fingers to twist the cap. The means for sealing the pipe comprise a gasket member I4 secured to a spring-like bell disc l5, the said gasket and disc being secured to the cap member by a center rivet I6 which acts through a washer II on the gasket.

The construction is such that when the ears I2 are engaged with the flange of the intake pipe, the gasket is forced rmly against the upper end of the pipe by disc I5 and effectively seals said pipe.

In its simplest form, the handle of the present invention includes a disc I8 of wood or other heat insulating material, having approximately the same diameter as the cap member E0, and having radially opposite extensions 2U of the same general shape as the extensions i3 of the cap member. The extensions 2B are connected by a cross bar 2I which preferably is integral with the disc I8 and has longitudinal grooves 22 in its sides for grasping the same with the fingers.

Each end edge of the cross bar 2l is slotted as at 23, to receive the inturned upper end 24 of a strip 25 of springy metal, such for example, as, berillium copper, said strip extending downward in abutting engagement with the end edge of said cross bar and being secured thereto by a nail' 2E or the like. The strip 25 extends below the disc It and has its lower end turned in as at 2T for the purpose to be described presently.

rIhe lower face of disc I8 is adapted to abut the upper edge of cap member I and in order to accommodate the head of rivet I6 the center of said disc is provided with an indentation 28, see Figs. 2 to 4.

The construction is such that the disc I8 is placed in abutting relationship with the cap member I0 and turned relative thereto to engage the inturned lower ends 27 of the strips 25 beneath the extensions I3 of the cap. Said lower ends then are bent upward slightly inside of said extensions (Fig. 2) to eifect a permanent engagement between the parts. Thus, if the cross bar 2| be grasped in the hand and turned, the cap member Il] turns also. It will be seen, therefore, that there has been provided an extremely7 simple handle for the radiator cap, which handle will not become hot and burn the hands when being manipulated thereby.

In a modified form of the present invention shown in Fig. 5, additional means are provided for securing the cap and the handle together, said means comprising a plurality of rivets 3i] passed through the cross bar 2|, the disc I8 and the cap member |0.

In other respects the modified form of the invention is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 and 4 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts in all of the views.

In another modiiication of the invention, the handle is not permanently secured to the cap member, but rather is so constructed as to be engaged therewith for purposes of removal and replacement of the cap, and then disengaged to be stored in a convenient location for future use. This form of the invention is particularly beneficial to lling station attendants or the like who are repeatedly forced to remove and replace hot radiator caps while servicing automobiles.

In this form of the invention, the strips 25 each are provided with a lateral extension or ear 3|, abutting the side of the extension 29 of disc |8 and also the cross bar 2| to which it is secured by nails 32 or the like (Figs. 6 and 9). The extensions or ears 3|, of the two strips 25 are located on opposite sides of the cross bar 2| so that if the disc I8 be placed in abutting relationship with the cap member and then turned anticlockwise to engage the inturned lower ends 2 of strips 25 beneath the extensions 3 of said cap member, the lower ends of the ears 3| of said strips come into contacting relationship with the clockwise sides of the extensions |3 of the cap member. Further anti-clockwise rotation of the handle will, through said ears 3|, rotate the cap member and free it from the radiator intake pipe. When said cap member has been removed the inturned ends 21 of strips 25 hold it clasped to the disc I8.

To replace the cap In on the pipe, the cap, still secured to the handle, ls placed in position on the pipe and turned clockwise through said handle to secure it in place. If it should happen that the inturned ends 21 of strips 25 slide out from beneath the extensions |3 of the cap before the latter is fully engaged on the pipe, the handle is lifted slightly, turned anti-clockwise and the ears 3| of said strips engaged with the anti-clockwise side of the cap extensions I3, the handle then being turned clockwise to force the cap into proper engagement through the ears 3|. The handle is then removed and placed in a convenient location awaiting further call for its services.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modications coming within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with an automobile radiator cap comprising a cap member having downturned peripheral edges, radially opposite inturned ears on said edges, by which the cap is secured on the intake pipe of a radiator, radially opposite extensions of said cap member whereby the latter can be turned manually to free it from, or secure it on, the pipe, said downturned edge also spanning said extensions, a pipe sealing gasket, a spring-like bell disc to tension said gasket against the end of the pipe, a washer engaging the under face of said gasket, and a center rivet acting through said washer to secure said gasket and disc to said cap member, of a heat insulating handle for said radiator cap comprising a disc of heat insulating material of approximately the same diameter as said cap member and in abutting relationship therewith radially opposite extensions on said disc, said extensions having approximately the same outline as the extensions of said cap member, a radial cross bar integral with the disc and connecting said extensions, grooves in the sides of said cross bar for engagement by the fingers, and means for securing said handle disc in abutting relationship with said cap member.

2. The combination with an automobile radiator cap comprisingr a cap member having downturned peripheral edges, radially opposite inturned ears on said edges, by which the cap is secured on the intake pipe of a radiator, radially opposite extensions of said cap member whereby the latter can be turned manually to free it from, or secure it on, the pipe, said downturned edge also spanning said extensions, a pipe sealing gasket, a spring-like bell disc to tension said gasket against the end of the pipe, a washer engaging the under face of said gasket, and a center rivet acting through said washer to secure said gasket and disc to said cap member, of a heat insulating handle for said radiator cap comprising a disc of heat insulating material of approximately the same diameter as said cap member and in abutting relationship therewith radially opposite extensions on said disc, said extensions having approximately the same outline as the extensions of said cap member, a radial cross bar integral with the disc and connecting said extensions, grooves in the sides of said cross bar for engagement by the fingers, a lateral slot in each of the end edges of said cross bar, a metal strip secured to and abutting each end edge of said cross bar, and having its upper end turned in to engage in said slot, the lower end of each said strip extending below the handle disc and the extension of said cap member and having its lower end turned inward beneath said extension to secure the handle and cap together and upward between the downturned edges of said extension to prevent relative rotative movements of the handle and the cap.

3. The combination with an automobile radiator cap comprising a cap member having downturned peripheral edges, radially opposite inturned ears on said edges, by which the cap is secured on the intake pipe of a radiator, radially opposite extensions of said cap member whereby the latter can be turned manually to free it from, or secure it on, the pipe, said downturned edge also spanning said extensions, a pipe sealing gasket, a spring-like bell disc to tension said gasket against the end of the pipe, a washer engaging the under face of said gasket, and a center rivet acting through said washer to secure said gasket and disc to said cap member, of a heat insulating handle for said radiator cap comprising a disc of heat insulating material of approximately the same diameter as said cap member and in abutting relationship therewith radially opposite extensions on said disc, said extensions having approximately the same outline as the extensions of said cap member, a radial cross bar inte-gral with the disc and connecting said extensions, grooves in the sides of said cross bar for engagement by the fingers, a lateral slot in each of the end edges of said cross bar, a metal strip secured to and abutting each end edge of said cross bar, and having its upper end turned in to engage in said slot, the lower end of each said strip extending below the handle disc and the extension of said cap member and having its lower end turned inward beneath said extension to secure the handle and cap together and a plurality of rivets passed through said cross bar, said handle disc and said cap member to fix the handle and the cap relative to one another.

4. The combination with an automobile radiator cap comprising a cap member having downturned peripheral edges, radialli7 opposite inturned ears on said edges, by which the cap is secured on the intake pipe of a radiator, radially opposite extensions of said cap member whereby the latter can be turned manually to free it from, or secure it on, the pipe, said downturned edge also spanning said extensions, a pipe sealing gasket, a spring-like bell disc to tension said gasket against the end of the pipe, a washer engaging the under face of said gasket, and a center rivet acting through said washer to secure said gasket and disc to said cap member, of a heat insulating handle for said radiator cap comprising a disc of heat insulating material of approximately the same diameter as said cap member and in abutting relationship therewith radially opposite extensions on said disc, said extensions having approximately the same outline as the extensions of said can member, a radial cross bar integral with the disc and connecting said extensions, grooves in the sides of said cross bar for engagement by the iingers, a lateral slot in each of the end edges of said cross bar, a metal strip secured to and abutting each end edge of said cross bar. and having its upper end turned in to engage said slot. the lower end of each said strip extending below the handle disc and the extension of said can member and having its lower end turned inward beneath said extension to secure the handle and cap together temporarily, an ear on each said strip secured to and abutting the clockwise side of said cross bar and said disc and extending downward into contacting relationship with the clockwise side of said cap member extensions.

5. The combination with an automobile radiator cap comprising a cap member having downturned peripheral edges, radially opposite inturned ears on said edges, by which the cap is secured on the intake pipe of a radiator, radially opposite extensions of said cap member whereby the latter can be turned manually to free it from, or secure it on, the pipe, said downturned edge also spanning said extensions, a pipe sealing gasket, a spring-like bell disc to tension said gasket against the end of a pipe, a washer engaging Vthe under face of said gasket, and a center rivet acting through said washer to secure said gasket and disc to said cap member, of a heat insulating handle for said radiator cap -comprising a disc of heat insulating material of approximately the same diameter as said cap member and in abutting relationship therewith radially opposite extensions on said disc, said extensions having approximately the same outline as the extensions of said cap member, a radial cross bar integral with the disc and connecting said extensions, grooves in the sides of said cross bar for engagement by the fingers, a lateral slot in each of the end edges of said cross bar, a metal strip secured to and abutting each end edge of said cross bar, and having its upper end turned in to engage in said slot, the lower end of each said strip extending below the handle disc and the extension of said cap member and having its lower end turned inward beneath said extension to secure the handle and cap together temporarily, an ear on each said strip secured to and abutting the clockwise side of said cross bar and said disc and extending downward into contacting relationship with the clockwise side oi' said cap member extensions, whereby on turning the handle anti-clockwise, the cap member is turned by said ears to free it from the pipe.

6. The combination with an automobile radiator cap comprising a cap member having downturned peripheral edges, radially opposite inturned ears on said edges, by which the cap is secured on the intake pipe of a radiator, radially opposite extensions of said cap member whereby the latter can be turned manually to free it from, or secure it on, the pipe, said downturned edge also spanning said extensions, a pipe sealing gasket, a spring-like bell disc to tension said gasket against the end oi' the pipe, a washer engaging the under face of said gasket, and a center rivet acting through said washer to secure said gasket and disc to said cap member, of a heat insulatingI handle for said radiator cap comprising a disc of heat insulating material of approximately the same diameter as said cap member and in abutting relationship therewith radially opposite extensions on said disc, said extensions having approximately the same outline as the extensions of said cap member, a radial cross bar integral with the disc and connecting said extensions, grooves in the sides of said cross bar for engagement by the fingers, a lateral slot in each of the end edges of said cross bar, a metal strip secured to and abutting each end edge of said cross bar, and having its upper endd turned in to engage in said slot, the lower end of each said strip extending -below the handle disc and the extension of said cap member and having its lower end turned inward beneath said extension to secure the handle and cap together temporarily, an ear on each said strip secured to and abutting the clockwise side of said cross bar and said disc and extendingdownward into contacting relationship with the clockwise side of said cap member extensions, whereby on turning the handle anti-clockwise, the cap member is turned by said ears to free it from the pipe, said cap after having been removed from the pipe remaining secured to said handle.

SIMON HUBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,162,703 Loew Nov. 30, 1915 1,360,388 Gaynor Nov. 30, 1920` 2,088,848 Fay Aug. 3, 1937 2,121,244 ,Buckner www Jan, 21, 193s 

